by Kaci Rose
"You think about what we talked about last night?" I ask her to make my presence know.
She turns slowly, and while she doesn't have a stitch of makeup on, she still manages to make my heart beat faster because it's just her, just Lin, with no fuss or false pretenses.
"I did. Brynn and I talk extensively about it," she admits as she turns her whole body to face me.
"And?" I ask.
She studies me for a moment before nodding toward the table where the coffee and scones are.
"I want to know what Wren said first," she says. Smart girl. She doesn't want to give her hand away until she knows what her options are.
"He talked to my publicist, and I guess they are over the moon about the idea. I don't think he slept last night, and I don't think I've heard him so perky," I admit.
She shakes her head. "Maybe he just got laid." She smiles.
"He wouldn't even be awake or answering his phone then," I tease her as she holds her own, even as the slight pink covers her cheeks. "So?" I ask, suddenly anxious for her answer.
I find myself hoping she says yes. I want to spend some time with her, and the chance to kiss those full pink lips is an experience I know I will never forget.
"I agree with a few conditions," she says, and I can't stop the smile if I tried.
She narrows her eyes at me. "You don't even know what the conditions are," she says.
"Doesn't matter. I agree," I tell her, which, in hindsight, wasn't the smartest thing to do.
"I could say that you have to pose nude to the inn's web page, and you just agreed to it." She sits back and crosses her arms.
"You think that’s the first nude photo of me out here? Did you not see the movie The Time I Lost You? There are two nude scenes and a junk flash. Trust me, those photos are set to as many screen savers as possible," I tell her and watch her eyes go wide.
"No, I have not seen that movie," she says and shakes her head.
I am willing to bet anything her and Brynn will be watching it tonight. Can't say I blame them. If I know there was a movie out there where I got even the slightest flash of her breasts, I'd be on my way back upstairs now to watch it.
"Okay, what are your conditions?" I ask.
"The first one you know. The breakup cannot make me look bad. It needs to paint me in a good light, so your crazy fans leave me alone," she says.
"Agreed." I nod and take a bite of my scone and moan.
She cocks her head at me, and I hold up my scone. "These are a little slice of heaven."
She smiles. "I made them."
"You cook?" I ask a bit shocked.
"I bake, and I cook very little. That's more Brynn," she admits. "Okay, condition number two. This relationship is to be used to stick it to Travis every chance we get. If we can make him cry, all the better. You will not be friends with him, sign autographs for him, or pose for a picture with him."
I'm glad I don't have food or drink in my mouth when she says that because I laugh out loud.
"Lin, that was a given with how he treated you. Even if you didn't agree to the arrangement, I still wouldn't do any of those things because I like to think we're friends at least, and that means I'm on your side," I say softly.
"Thank you. I think we are friends too. Which leads me to number three. You need to let your walls down if we are going to be spending so much time together. No more Hollywood act with me because if this blows up in our faces, I'm the one who will be hurt. You will move on to your next gig and forget about it all. I need to be able to stand being around you for it to work."
"You can't stand being around me now?" I ask, a bit hurt. Not that I'd ever admit it.
"I can, but that first day you had the Hollywood act on hard. None of that with me, and I know it will come out as we get in front of people. I can't stand it, so I need you to promise not to do it with me."
"Will you help me? I don't always realize I'm doing it, so at least tell me before you get mad," I ask.
She nods.
"Okay, then we should celebrate with our first photo," I say as I pull out my phone.
"Kade!" She squeals and runs from the room. "I have no makeup on. Give a girl a minute." I hear her running down the hall to her room and just smile.
I have to admit I'm relieved she's putting on some makeup. Any guy who sees how pretty she is without a stitch of makeup on would want her, and the last thing she needs is even more creeps at her doorstep the moment we break up.
Why does the thought of our breaking up make my chest feel tight? It's just the thought of leaving here and the unknown. That has to be it.
I finish my scone and my coffee before she’s returning to the room with makeup on, her hair down, and a different shirt on. She looks like Lin just not as comfortable as she was earlier. While she's still beautiful, I definitely preferred her before.
"You looked just as beautiful before." I stand. "Maybe on the porch with the beach in the background?"
"Yeah, sounds good." She wrings her hands. I know she is nervous. I just don't know what to say to help calm her nerves.
I follow her to the back porch and think maybe I should get her mind off the photo.
"So where should we go on our first date? My manager suggested someplace where we will be seen, but where there are also teens, either there or working since they are the most likely to post on social media about us."
"Maybe dinner? Lots of teens have jobs at the restaurants in town," she suggests.
"What about the seafood one we passed the other day? It was right by the water."
Lin cringes. "We need to check with Brynn. Jasper owns it, and with him being back in town, I need to see where they stand."
I nod. "Okay, let's get this over with." I pull her to my side.
Her body heat soaks into mine, and the whole side of my body where she is touching me is on fire. I couldn't pull away to put out the flame if I tried, but I'm not trying, at all.
I wrap my arm around her shoulder and pull her close to me.
"Do we want to look like we are serious dating or just casual friendly?" she asks.
"I think this one should be just friendly, hint where we are and make them wonder who you are," I suggest as I raise my phone to take a photo. I snap a few just as Brynn steps on the porch.
"What are you doing?" Brynn asks.
"Taking our first official photo to post," I say as I flip through them.
"Yeah, I wouldn't post that if I were you," Brynn says, catching my attention.
Chapter 13
Linly
I normally don't mind photos, but posing for my first official photo with Kade is making me so nervous I just don't want to do it. Thankfully, he takes several photos at different angles for us to pick from.
I don't even hear anyone else come out on the porch.
"What are you doing?" Brynn asks.
"Taking our first official photo to post," Kade says as he flips through them.
"Yeah, I wouldn't post that if I were you," Brynn says, catching both our attention.
"Why not?" Kade asks.
Brynn looks at me. "Come on, Lin, you grew up in this town and know this gossip mill better than anyone. What is the quickest way to get the people here to leak something about you and Kade?" Brynn asks.
Then it hits me like tons of bricks, and I bury my face in my hands. "Telling the right people not to tell anyone." I groan.
"Exactly. So, we need our story down, and then I head into town to go shopping. Run into said people and spill the beans like it's a huge secret so by the time you go on your date tonight, everyone knows. That will lead to a ton of photos shared tomorrow, forcing your hand to share a photo yourself tomorrow night." Brynn smiles.
I hold my hand out to her. "And that is why she does the inns' PR." I laugh.
Brynn takes a dramatic bow, then walks over and sits in one of the several seating areas on the porch. Kade and I follow her, each taking a different chair.
"So, what is your st
ory?" Brynn asks.
"I think we need to stay close to the truth. Travis saw us the other day. So, I say we met when he came here for a break, and running into Travis forced him to admit his feelings for me, and tonight is our first date. He hasn't been here that long for it to be more than that. Which also allows for you to verify the story and back it up since you have been here," I say.
"I agree. It's always better to stick to the truth. In my experience, reporters always uncover the truth, anyway." Kade nods. "Wren suggested the inn to get away from the stuff with Matt and Cassie, and we met that day you checked me in."
"That is perfect for the gossips in town. A Hollywood movie star blew into town under their noses. They will be so upset they are just now finding out that they will spread it so fast. Plus, everyone has been waiting for Lin to date again, so they will all want to be there. Now where are you having dinner? I want to make sure we get you reservations and spread that little tidbit, so the right people are there tonight," Brynn says.
I glare at her about the comment about my dating, but she just shrugs her shoulder. Kade doesn't seem to be focusing on it, so I will let it go. This time.
"Well, I mentioned the seafood place on the water, but Lin said that was owned by Jasper's family so..." He stops and looks at Brynn.
Brynn looks at me as she thinks. "Honestly, it's one of the best places in town, and it makes sense you would take her there. I hate it's owned by Jasper's family, yes, but I think it's the best place. His dad always hired teenagers to bus tables and hostess. Then gossip mill eats there regularly, so I think you should go," Brynn says.
I get up and sit next to her. "You sure?" I ask.
"Yes," she says, then pulls me into a hug. "But if you see Jasper, you give him hell," she whispers in my ear.
"Always," I whisper back.
"So, when you break up, it should be done quietly with no announcement right away, and you,"—she points at Kade—"better make her look good in all this."
Kade shakes his head. "Of course, that was part of Lin's conditions as well." Then he cocks his head to the side and looks at her. "What's in it for you? You seem pretty well invested."
"Lin is my best friend. If it affects her, then it affects me. Plus, if this goes well, it helps my inn too, and if it goes bad, I'm affected. As is the whole town, so keep that in mind." She gives him a pointed look. "Now, I need to head into town and start planting the seeds. Lin, you call and make the reservation?"
"Shouldn't I be doing that?" Kade asks.
Brynn shakes her head, and I can't help but smile.
Brynn looks at me. "He really knows nothing of small towns, huh?"
"Nope." I smile at him.
"Well, Mr. Blue, you are about to get a firsthand education. I hope you are ready.”
"Okay, the seeds are planted," Brynn says as she plops down on the couch in my office later that afternoon.
"Have a good day in town, dear?" I joke.
"Yes, ran into Dorothy, Ginger, Holly, and Becca. I planted the seed with each, and you know they will try to outdo each other in spreading the gossip. In fact, I bet they are all online right now looking for the best place to share once they have their photos."
Dorothy and her gang all went to school with my parents and are known as the town's biggest gossips. They know everything, even if you don't want them to. If you ever need info, they are who you go to, but it will always cost you a bit of info in return.
They never like to be outdone by the other, so they will spread this news fast and far. The whole island will know by dinnertime. Brynn is right. It's the perfect way to spread the news. When you tell these four ladies you have a secret and not to tell anyone, it's like a shark with a blood trail. They aren't going to listen. They are going to attack. The attack being anyone who crosses their path and being told the juicy bits.
"And you told them we would be having dinner at Samuels?" I ask.
Samuels Southern Seafood is famous for the fresh seafood caught that day and for putting their Southern twist on it all. It's the place where Jasper's dad made a name for himself.
"Yep, I put it as more of a question to get their opinion. I was all, ‘Oh, do you think she should go to Samuels? Kade was suggesting it. What do you think?' They ate that up." Brynn laughs.
"Should I be worried about how well you can work the gossip tree?" I ask.
"Nah, my mom was friends with Holly, and she learned firsthand how to work her, and she taught me everything I know. Now, let's go to your room and get you ready for this date. The whole town will have their eyes on you."
"Great, also have you seen the movie The Time I Lost You?" I remember the conversation from last night.
"No, why?" Brynn asks, following me down the hallway.
"Apparently, Kade is in it, and there is full frontal nudity." I shrug.
"And how did you find this out?" she asks with a coy smile on her face.
"He told me earlier when we were talking."
"I don't even want to know how you got on that topic." She shakes her head and starts rummaging through my closet.
The restaurant isn't a particularly dressy place, but it's a first date with a movie star. The chances that these photos will end up everywhere are pretty high, so I need to look my best and like I would if I were trying on a first date. Which I haven't been on one in over a year. Damn. Has it really been a year since I've been on a date?
"I was thinking of a dress, but you want to walk down the shops there to let as many people see you as possible. But it gets windy next to the water, and we don't need you flashing everyone. So I say the black jeans and heels with my burgundy top I got last month at the outlets. I'll put waves in your hair and some fun jewelry, and you are good to go."
I sigh and decide to give in to Brynn. She is more into fashion than I am, not that either of us has much of a reason to stray from shorts and T-shirts most days. It seems to be our uniforms around the inn, plus it's comfy.
"Get in the shower. I'm going to go get that top," Brynn orders, and I make my way to the bathroom. As the warm water hits my already tense muscles, I start to think of all the things that could go wrong tonight and try to come up with solutions, but all the problems even sound farfetched to me.
What if Jasper sees my name on the reservation list and throws us out? That would end with a swift kick in the balls from me on behalf of Brynn, and I'm pretty sure that would end up on every celebrity website out there.
What if no one shows up? This one is highly unlikely, but we would have to have dessert elsewhere and just find the crowd.
What if I can't stand to be around him for a whole dinner? Again, unlikely as we have already had dinner together, and we didn't kill each other.
What if the response from the media isn't what we want? That one would fall on Kade and his team. I'm sure they have some fancy way of spinning things to get what they want.
"Jesus, you're still in there? Save some water for the damn fish!" Brynn yells.
I guess I have been in here a bit longer than necessary, letting the hot water soak my muscles. I rinse off and get out to find Brynn standing next to the sink.